By: Binta Jaiteh
The Councillor of Essau Ward in the North Bank Region, Michelle Mendy, has called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Women’s Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen women’s representation in leadership positions.
Speaking in an interview with The Voice Newspaper, Councillor Mendy said women remain underrepresented in decision-making processes despite repeated calls for gender equality and empowerment initiatives.
She noted that rural women, in particular, continue to face multiple challenges that limit their participation in leadership and governance.
According to her, the 2015 Women’s Bill, which advocates for 40 per cent representation of women in leadership positions, is yet to be enacted.
“We voted them into office, but they are reluctant to pass our bill. The bill doesn’t favour them; they are insecure. If the bill is passed, you never know whether you will be the victim in the next term. I personally went through a lot during my political journey. There are many misconceptions surrounding women’s empowerment, and that should be addressed,” she said.
Councillor Mendy stressed that women deserve to be included in cabinet and other key national positions, rather than being confined to supportive roles in politics.
“They think women cannot lead, but it is left to women themselves to break that barrier by aspiring for higher positions,” she added.
She further urged women to change the narrative ahead of future elections, saying passive participation in politics must give way to active leadership roles.
“We cannot keep on clapping. For how long should we continue clapping? This is a challenge hindering women’s participation in politics,” she said.
Mendy also pointed to deep-rooted cultural practices and social norms as major barriers to women’s political participation, noting that leadership is often perceived as a male-dominated field in many communities.
“Women are often regarded as housewives with limited access to resources, and expectations around domestic responsibilities are still maintained. As public figures, people should see the zeal in you. Women should empower each other,” she advised.
Also speaking, the North Bank Region Regional Youth Vice President, Amie Keita, said women’s empowerment should go beyond rhetoric and be translated into concrete action.
“As women, we must believe in ourselves and know that we can take up leadership positions. We should not just be clapping for men in politics. It is time they clap for us as we take up responsibility,” Keita said.
She emphasized the importance of competence and merit in leadership selection, urging women to actively compete for political positions.
“We have many young women who can take part in decision-making processes. Women should be empowered and included for the economic growth of the country,” she added.
Women constitute about half of the population, yet activists and civil society organizations continue to highlight that cultural norms and structural barriers significantly limit their representation in governance and leadership, calling for equal participation to bridge the gap.
